This was sent to me by Barry Johnson, the president of the Sequim RC Aeronauts. When two clubs join together they can get great things done!
The Sequim RC Aeronauts of Sequim, Washington, and the Olympic RC Modelers of Port Angeles, Washington, cohosted their third annual fun-fly on September 14, 2013, at the Sequim Valley Airport.
This event is a fundraising effort in support of Volunteer Hospice of Clallam County (VHCC), Washington. The clubs raised $1,575 this year. The clubs chose VHCC to directly help those in need in their own community.
Several local businesses, businesses from other cities in Washington, club members, and even out-of-state businesses contributed services or items to be raffled during the fly-in. Several ARF aircraft, as well as things such as dinners, haircuts, and dry cleaning were raffled, and all donations were appreciated by the clubs as well as those who won them in the drawings.
Along with the donations, several well-known RC pilots from the Pacific Northwest made the trip to Sequim and helped to wow the crowd with low and slow 3-D stunts. The club members who flew demonstrated the various aircraft types and sizes, including a turbine jet. Those wishing to try their hands at flying an RC airplane were able to log some time on a trainer with an instructor and a buddy box.
The static display aircraft (many of which also flew) are always popular with the attendees and many types and sizes of fixed-wing aircraft were represented along with a helicopter or two.
Many spectators brought chairs and coolers and stayed for the entire event. Even a foggy start to the day didn’t dampen the spirit of the event, but things really got rolling when the fog burned off to leave clear, blue skies. Hot food was available on-site as well, to keep everyone going. A donated public-address system kept everyone informed throughout the day.
The Sequim Valley Airport allowed the clubs to put in a grass runway and to hold the event on its grounds to allow for more parking than either of the two clubs’ home fields would allow. The airport also volunteered its mower any time the field needed mowing.
Many of the full-scale pilots with aircraft in the hangars at the airport lent assistance. A local contractor donated a water truck and a roller to prepare the field. Members volunteered their time to put in and maintain the runway. This was a joint effort between the two clubs and the community.
In the end, 100% of the funds received were donated to VHCC. Without the support of so many businesses and people, this event would not have been as successful and we cannot thank them enough. Both clubs are planning to host the fourth annual fly-in this year. The date is yet to be determined but the clubs’ websites (www.sequimrcaeronauts.org and (www.olympicrcmodelers.com) will have the date posted when it has been set. We look forward to an even greater turnout and more great flying and fun.
I hope to see you at the Indoor FF Nats June 26-30 at the Kibbie Dome at the University of Idaho, Moscow Idaho.
